Q Gardens Launches Fundraiser For Community-Driven Mosaic

The folks at Q Gardens — the new community green space just behind the Church Avenue subway station on E. 18th Street — have accomplished many incredible feats in recent months, from opening the garden after years of organizing to launching their compost project that’s free for all neighbors.

Now, Q Gardens is raising money to help support the creation of its community-driven mosaic that will eventually fill the entire wall in the back of the lot. Neighbor and artist Juan Carlos Pinto — who’s well-known for his area installations like the enormous pixelated portraits at the corner of Cortelyou and Marlborough Roads, the Brooklyn mosaic next to the old John’s Bakery, and the Newkirk Plaza tunnel mural — is leading the project that will help to beautify this corner for years to come.

Like he does for many of his projects, Carlos (who you can learn more about here) is using broken ceramics, old tile and mirrors that have been donated by members of our community for Q Gardens.

The folks at the garden said they’re hoping to raise $5,000 to cover the cost of needed materials, such as adhesive and grout, and provide Carlos with an artist’s stipend.

The Q Gardens group wrote on their fundraising page that:

We believe in the importance of public art and in supporting the artists who create it. Donations of 5-10 dollars will add up to go a long way!

To learn more about donating to Q Gardens, you can go here. If you haven’t already dropped by to say hello, bring your scraps for composting, or to volunteer at the garden, you can do so on:

• Wednesdays from 6:30-8pm
• Saturdays from 11am-1pm
• Sundays from 3-5pm

To find out more about the garden, you can visit its website and Facebook page or email qgardensinfo@gmail.com.